Description
Laboratory measurements of cold ion-molecule collisions help to develop understanding of the dynamics and kinetics of interstellar chemistry. In our linear Paul ion trap, we trap ions at cold temperatures and react them with neutral molecules in an isolated environment. The products and branching ratios of these reactions are measured with high resolution with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Recently, we studied two reactions of interstellar importance (C$_{2}$H$_{2}^{+}$ + CH$_{3}$CN, acetonitrile and CCl$^{+}$ + C$_{6}$H$_{6}$, benzene) in this apparatus. Isotopologue substitution and quantum chemical calculations aid in identifying and analyzing the resulting products and branching ratios of these reactions. Both systems are potential pathways for the buildup of cyclic carbocations in the interstellar medium. The CCl$^{+}$ + benzene reaction, in particular, demonstrates potential as a participant in the growth of larger aromatics that occurs in the interstellar medium.
| Presenter name | Olivia Krohn |
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